Observations on the use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in teleosts and elasmobranchs at a public aquarium, 728 cases, 2007–2020

• Published in: Zoo biology 2022-11, Vol.41 (6), p.576-581
• Main Authors: McMurrer, Jessica, McElhiney, Aubrey, McNally, Kerry, Innis, Charles J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal husbandry; Animal Identification Systems - economics; Animal Identification Systems - instrumentation; Animal Identification Systems - standards; Animal Identification Systems - veterinary; Animal Welfare - statistics & numerical data; Animals; Animals, Zoo; Aquariums; Data analysis; Equipment costs; Fish; Fishes; husbandry; identification; Identification methods; Implantation; Longevity; marking; Marking and tracking techniques; Medical research; microchip; Retrospective Studies; tagging; Tags; veterinary
• ISSN: 0733-3188; 1098-2361
• DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21678

Between 2007 and 2020 at New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA, we implanted passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags into 728 fish representing 105 teleost and elasmobranch species to identify animals as individuals. At the time of retrospective data analysis, mean longevity interval (median, range) after tag placement for animals that remained alive (n = 236) was 4.7 years (4.5, 0.3–13.8). Mean interval (median, range) between tag placement and death (n = 317) was 2.1 years (1.6, 0–11.2); and mean interval (median, range) between tag placement and transfer to other facilities (n = 175) was 2.5 years (3.1, 0.1–9.3). Possible adverse effects of tagging were extremely rare. Using the described methods, the equipment cost for every 10 PIT tag implantations was $2.83. PIT tag implantation in fishes is a safe and cost effective method to identify individuals, providing an opportunity to accumulate valuable data regarding individual longevity, welfare, basic demographics, and outcome of medical management. PIT tag implantation is recommended as a routine aspect of acquisition, quarantine, and medical management of fish under human care. In this radiograph, a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag is seen implanted in the epaxial muscle of a lookdown fish (Selene vomer). This fish is part of a retrospective study that describes PIT tag implantation and subsequent observations in 728 fish of 105 species. PIT tags were safe, cost effective, and allowed for long‐term identification of individual fish. Research highlights We implanted passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in 728 fish to identify individuals in an aquarium. PIT tag implantation is recommended as a routine aspect of husbandry and medical management of fish under human care.